On Sunday, Arsenal booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Hull City, in a replay of last year's FA Cup final, a match that Arsenal also went on to win. The FA Cup looks again to be the one realistic shot that Arsenal have at trophy this season. Arsenal are 11-time FA Cup winners, the joint record shared with Manchester United, and the current holders. So, can Arsenal retain the trophy and win it for a record 12th time?
The day after Arsenal's FA Cup third round win the Gunners were drawn with Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round. This is the second time in 3 years that this second round draw came out of the hat. Arsenal won the 2013 meeting 3-2. Away at Brighton could be a test for Arsenal, but it is most definitely a winnable match for the Londoners. From there anything could happen - after all it's the FA Cup: the most unpredictable cup competition in the world.
Last year, Arsenal were drawn at home in every round of the FA Cup, up until their two Wembley visits for the semi-final and the final. Arsenal didn't leave London once in that cup run. That was a vital factor in Arsenal winning the cup; the Emirates Stadium is a fortress for Arsenal and they hardly ever lose there. If Arsenal were to be drawn away from home against a big side (no disrespect to Brighton) then it could be the end of Arsenal's unbeaten FA Cup run that stretches back nearly two years.
Also, last season many big clubs were knocked out of the cup early on in the tournament. Both Spurs and Manchester United exited the famous cup competition at the third round stage; the former at the hands of Arsenal. By the time the sixth round draw was made, Chelsea and Liverpool were also out of the cup. The quarter-finals included five Premier League clubs; three exited at that stage. That left two top division sides, a Championship side and a League One side contesting the semi-finals at Wembley. This season, the same doesn't seem to be the case. There has been few FA Cup shocks this season so far; only one Premier League club lost when facing lower opposition. Not many big clubs have been drawn together so far either; if that happened it could increase the chances of another Arsenal FA Cup win.
Arsenal's side have got stronger since last season, so looking at it that way there is no reason why Arsenal won't be able to retain the FA Cup. But, winning the cup is difficult and relies on some big things that are beyond Arsenal's control. Even if not all those things go Arsenal's way, Arsenal do have the quality, desire and determination to retain the trophy.
